Palmitic acid methyl ester induces cardiac hypertrophy through activating the GPR receptor‐mediated changes of intracellular calcium concentrations and mitochondrial functions

Abstract Myocardial hypertrophy is associated with a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+, which can be induced by long‐chain fatty acid. Palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME), a fatty acid ester released from adipose tissue, superior cervical ganglion, and retina, has been found to have anti‐inflammation, antifibrosis, and peripheral vasodilation effects. However, the effects of PAME on cardiomyocytes are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether PAME could disrupt the intracellular Ca2+ balance, leading to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated with various concentrations (10–100 μM) of PAME for 1–4 days. Cytosolic Ca2+ and mitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations were examined using Fura‐2 AM and Rhod‐2, respectively. After treatment with PAME for 4 days, mitochondrial Ca2+, an indicator of the state of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), and cell death were monitored by flow cytometric analysis. ATP levels were detected using the ATP assay kit. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was analyzed by measuring the cardiac hypertrophy biomarker and cell area using quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction, Western Blot analysis and immunofluorescence analysis. Our results show that PAME concentration‐ and time‐dependently increased cytosolic and mitochondria Ca2+ through the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Moreover, treatment with PAME for 4 days caused MPTP opening, thereby reducing ATP production and enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and finally led to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. These effects caused by PAME treatment were attenuated by the G‐protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) inhibitor. In conclusion, PAME impaired mitochondrial function, which in turn led to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through increasing the mitochondrial Ca2+ levels mediated by activating the GPR40 signaling pathway.